Apparatus for discharging matches.



H. A. GSELL. APPARATUS FOR DISUHARGING MATCHES. APPLICATION FILEDJUNE12, 1913.

Patented July 7, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

' THE NZJRRIS PETERS CO4. PHOTO-LITHOU WASHIN6 I'ON, D. C.

H. A. GSELL. APPARATUS FOR mscnmsme- MATCHES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12, 1913.

Patented July 7, 1914.

A. GSELL. APPARATUS FOR DISGHARGING MATCHES.

APPLIUATIQIT FILED JUNE 12, 1913.

I1 1G2 498 Patented July 7, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

THE NORRIS PETERS CO.. PHOTD-LITHQ, WASHINGTON, D. C.

' H" A. GSELL. APPARATUS FOR DISGHARGING MATCHES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12, 1913.

Patented July 7, 19M

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

jaw/@507?- THE NORRIS PETERS CO.. PHOTO LITHO. WASHINGTON, D C.

untrue STATES PATENT orricn HENRY ALFRED GSELL, OF PARTS, FRANCE.

APPARATUS FOR DISGHARGING MATCHES.

Application filed June 12, 1913.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY ALFRED GSELL, a citizen of the Republic ofSwitzerland, residing at 118 Boulevard de Clichy Paris, France, haveinvented new and use "ul improvements in Apparatus for DischargingMatches; and I do hereby declare the followfinished matches dischargedor ejected from match making machines into collecting boxes.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanyingdrawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, showing the device for ejecting thematches from the carrier-bars. Fig. 2 is a section on line II- II ofFig. 1. Fig. 3 which is to be taken together with Fig. 1, on the rightside thereof, is a side elevation, showing the means for filling thematches into the collecting boxes. Fig. 4 is an end view of the same.Fig. 5 is a section on line V-V of Fig. 3 drawn on a larger scale. Figs.6 to 8 are detail views.

The carrier-bars 1, which are charged with the dried matches 2 producedin a match making machine not shown of any suitable construction, aremoved vertically downward in a well-known manner in front of the devicefor ejecting the matches from the carrier bars. This device comprises abar 3 in the face of which are set a number ofpins 4. The bar 3 ishorizontally reciprocated toward and away from the carrier-bars 1 bymeans of cams 5 on a shaft 6. On this shaft there is secured a toothedwheel 7 which meshes with a toothed wheel 8 on the main shaft 9 which isrotated by any suitable means not shown on the drawings. The cams 5 acton rollers 10" mounted on arms 10 which are mounted to turn in bearings11 on the machine frame and are pivoted to rods 12 connected to theejector bar 3.

Boxes 13 for conveying the matches to the filling apparatus proper,travel beneath. and horizontally past the ejecting mechanism in thedirection of the arrows. In the illus- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 7, 1914..

Serial No. 773,312.

trated example, each traveling box 13 consists of three compartments orcells, which are separated from one another for their entire height bywedge shaped partitions 14. The boxes are provided at their lower partsor underside each with a T-shaped projection or lug 15 by means of whichthey are guided in suitable guides 16 provided on horizontally disposedchannel irons 17. \Vheels 18, 19 serve for moving the boxes 13 in thedirection of the arrows and for turning them, whereat the boxes push oneanother forward. The wheel 19 also serves for lowering the boxes fromthe upper row into the lower row, and the wheel 18 for raising the boxesagain into the upper row. Both wheels 18, 19 are intermittingly andsynchronously turned from the shaft 9. A bevel (wheel 20 on this shaftmeshes with a bevel wheel 21 on a short shaft 22 on which there issecured a feed gear wheel 23 which meshes with a feed wheel 24 securedto the axle 25 of the wheel 18. The wheel 19 is turned by a similarmechanism not shown on the drawing, so that both wheels 18, 19 aresimultane ously turned the same amount. The wheels re provided ontheirperiphery with grooves 26, each of which is adapted to receive abox 13. Shields 27, 28 prevent the boxes from falling down from thewheels 18, 19.

By means of the mechanism described the boxes 13 are caused to move pasttwo vertical rows A, B of collecting receptacles 29, 30, 31. For movingthe collecting receptacles vertically downward there are arranged foreach row A, B two endless chains 32, 33 and 34, 35 which pass on chainwheels 36 mounted on shafts 37 38. An intermittent motion of rotation isimparted to the shaft 37 by means of a cam 39 mounted on a shaft 40which is rotated from the main shaft 9 by means of a chain drive 41. Thecam 39 acts on a roller 42 mounted on a rod 42 the upper end of which ispivoted to an arm 43 mounted free to rock about the shaft 37. The arm 43carries a pawl 44 which is adapted to engage a ratchet wheel 45 securedto the shaft 37. The two chains 32, 33 and 34, 35 of each row A, B areinterconnected by cross bars 46 at definite intervals which may bevaried in accordance with the heightof the collecting receptacles 29,30, 31. These cross bars serve as supports for the collectingreceptacles 29, 30, 31, which for this purpose are provided each withfour hooks 47 and will be lowered when the 'chainsare moved in thedirection of the arrows (Figs. 4 and 5).

The cross bars or supports 46 are spaced in such a manner that aclearance approximately equal to the height of one collecting receptacleis formed between two super-'- posed collecting receptacles. Further thereceptacles in the difi'erent rows are arranged in a staggered manner inrelation to one another.

For filling the matches contained in the boxes 13 into the collectingreceptacles 29, 30, 31, in the illustrated example there are provided incorrespondence with the two rows A, B two tilting devices which may bealternately brought into and out of action. During their horizontalmovement in the upper row the traveling boxes 13 are moved by means oftheir lugs 15 in suitable guides or slots in the horizontal carriers 49,50 of the tilting devices. These carriers are connected by means of bars51, 52 to sleeves 53, 54 which are mounted free to turn on an axle 48.A. sleeve 55 is loosely mounted on the axle 48 and carries two toothedwheels 56 secured to it. The sleeve 55 carries projections 57 58 whichare adapted to engage corresponding notches in the sleeves 53, 54. Foraxially moving the sleeve 55 to and fro'thereis provided a double armedlever 59, 60 which is mounted to turn on an axle this purpose thereceptacles carry plates 67 which are adapted to move against lateralprojections 69, 70of the lever arm 60.

The sleeve 55 is caused to rock back and forth through 180 by means ofa. rack 68 engaging in the toothed wheels 56 on the sleeve. The rack 68is horizontally reciprocated by means of a cam 71 on the main shaft 9. VThe cam 71 acts on a roller carried by an arm 72 which, is pivoted tothe rack 68. By this means the tilting device with the traveling boxeseither of the row A or B is caused to rock back and forth alternatelyfrom the position shown in full lines in Fig. 5 in the direction of thearrow into the position shown in dot and dash lines in the same figure.The axis of rotation of the tilting device is preferably arranged nearthe topmost layer of matches in the traveling boxes 13 whereby the pathsof the matches in executing the rotary movement is made as small aspossible.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: The matches which areejected from thearrows in Figs. 1 and 3 by means of the wheels 18, 19through a distance equal to the length of three boxes. This forwardmovement is interrupted when three fresh boxes to be emptied areinserted in one of the tilting devices. In the position shown in Fig. 3of the drawing the tilting device of the row B is in operation. the rack68 in Fig. 5 from left to right the traveling boxes 13 inserted into thetilting device of the row Bare caused to be quickly tilted through 180degrees into the position shown in dot and dash lines in-Fig. 5, wherebythe matches are discharged into the collecting receptacle 29 with theirheads lying toward the open outer side of the said receptacle. On movingthe rack 68 in the opposite direction of the arrows (Figs. 4 and 5) forthe purpose of rotating the traveling boxes inserted into the tiltingdevice back into the position shown in full By moving I lines in Fig. 5,the wedge-shaped form of p 30, 31 are moved downward by the chains 32-35and the sequence offworking is re peated. The speed of the intermittentdown ward motion of the collecting receptacles may be adjusted at will,but is preferably made such that the wedge-shaped walls 14 of thetraveling boxes 13 force themselves each time into the layer of matchescontained in the collecting receptacle. This arrange ment has the effectof very quickly equalizing the difference of level of the uppermostlayer of matches, and thus causing the matches to assume positionsparallel to one another in passing along the partitions of the boxes.

As Fig. 5 clearly shows the heads of the matches in the collectingreceptacles are not touched by the tilting device. To still more securethe heads from being touched, the front walls of the wedge shapedpartitions 14 may be out oif into a sloping form, as shown in Fig. 8.

The described procedure is repeated until l By this means the tiltingdevice of the row B is thrown out of action and the tilting device ofthe row A comes into operation. After the collecting box 30 is filledthe tilting device of the row A is thrown out of action by the plate 67of the receptacle 31 moving against the projection 70 of the arm 60,which the receptacle 31 has been lowered in the correct position infront of the tilting device of the row B and the second working periodof the same begins.

The collecting receptacles after being filled may be removed by hand orby any suitable automatic means.

In the filling apparatus according to this invention the matches may besupplied uninterruptedly to the collecting receptacles, since after onereceptacle of the first row has been filled the matches are allowed tocontinue their travel until they reach the second row of collectingboxes, whereby time is gained for removing the full boxes and replacingthe empty boxes in their position in the apparatus. By employing theapparatus constructed in accordance with this invention it is possibleto gain for the removal of the full collecting boxes and placing inposition of the empty collecting boxes, at least such a span of time ascorresponds to that required for filling one collecting box withmatches. This span of time only varies with the size of the collectingboxes to be filled which size depends on the ultimate purpose for whichsaid collecting boxes are to be used. The resulting advantage which theimproved apparatus possesses over similar existing apparatus, consistsin rendering unnecessary a stopping of the ejecting mechanism for thedip frames and of the mecha nism for feeding the matches to thecollecting boxes.

The tilting device according to this invention has compared with otherexisting filling V apparatus the advantage that the heads of the matchesare not liable to be jolted or pressed by the filling or dischargingoperation. Consequently for the purpose of discharging the matches, thematches need only be dried to such a degree as to avoid the matchessticking together. A subsequent complete drying of the matches can takeplace in the improved apparatus owing to the fact that in being tilted,the matches may be turned through 180, while their heads are situated soas to point toward the axis of rotation, so that when they are in thecollecting receptacle their heads will be situated so as to pointoutward. The improved apparatus has the further advantage that the matchheads cannot come in contact with metal parts. It has been found thatthe arrangement of the axis of rotation in or near the plane of the toplayer of matches in the compartments produces the most favorableconditions for tilting. Namely, the

matches can be tilted quickly without it being necessary to provide. thecells with a cover or a front wall as was necessary in the tiltingapparatus hitherto proposed. In the latter apparatus explosions werecaused by the removal of the cover.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for discharging matches, collecting receptaclesarranged in parallel rows, cells for conveying the matches, means fortilting the cells for discharging the matches into the collectingreceptacles of the different rows, and means for moving said tiltingmeans of the different rows alternately into the operative andinoperative positions.

2. In an apparatus for discharging matches, collecting receptaclesarranged in parallel rows, the collecting receptacles in the differentrows being staggered in relation to one another and the superposedcollecting receptacles in each row being separated from each other by aspace approximately equal to the height of one collecting receptacle,cells for conveying the matches, means for tilting the cells fordischarging the matches into the collecting receptacles of the differentrows, and means for moving said tilting means of the different rowsalternately into the operative and inoperative positions.

3. In an apparatus for discharging matches, a series of independentcells for conveying the matches, guides for said cells, match-feedingmeans discharging over said cells, means for intermittingly moving theentire series of cells as a unit, pairs of parallel chainsintermittingly moved in a direction at right angles to the direction ofmovement of said cells, cross-bars connecting the chains in pairs,collecting receptacles for the matches supported on said bars andarranged in parallel rows, the receptacles in the different rows beingstaggered in relation to one another and the superposed collectingreceptacles in each row being separated from each other by a spaceapproximately equal to the height of one co lecting receptacle, meansfor tilting the cells for discharging the matches into the collectingreceptacles of the different rows, and means for moving said tiltinmeans of the different rows alternately into operative and inoperativepositions.

4:. In an apparatus for discharging matches, a series of independentcells for conveying the matches, guides for said cells, match-feedingmeans discharging over said cells, means for intermittingly, moving theentire series of cells as a unit, pairs of parallel chainsintermittingly moved in a direction at right angles to the direction ofmovement of said cells, cross-bars connecting the chains in pairs,collecting receptacles for the matches supported on said bars andarranged in parallel rows, the receptacles of the different rows beingstaggered in relation to one another, the superposed collectingreceptacles in each roW being separated from each other'by aspaceapproximately equal to the height of one collecting receptacle,means for tilting said cells for discharging'the matches into thecollecting receptacles of the different rows, a projection on the bottomof each collecting recep axis arranged near the topmost layer of matchesin the cells; I p

6. In an apparatus for discharging matches, cells for the matches,atilting device for discharging the matches contained in said cells, andmeans for conveying said cells into the tilting device, the axis ofrotation of the tilting device being arranged Copies ofthis patent maybe obtained for "near the topmost layer of matches in the travelingboxes.

7. In an apparatus for discharging matches, collecting receptaclesarranged in parallel rows, cells for conveying the matches, means fortilting the cells in a single operation through 180 degrees fordischarging the matches' into the collecting receptacles of thediii'erent rows, and means for moving said tilting means of thedilferent rows alternately into operative and inoperative positions,

8. In an apparatus for discharging matches, cells for conveying thematches having Wedge-shaped Walls, collecting receptacles for thematches, means for tilting the cells and forcing the Wedge-shaped cellWalls into the layer of matches contained in the collecting receptacles.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing "as my invention, I have signedmy name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY ALFRED GSELL.

Witnesses:

O. LIEBENBAUR, LUOIEN MEMMINGER.

five cents each, by addressing the commissioner of Patents, Washington,D. G."

